Your data · OpenAI
How long does ChatGPT keep your chats after you delete them?
thecontinuitylayer.com/your-data/chatgpt/how-long-chats-are-keptWhat ChatGPT's own pages say happens to a deleted chat, and when it is gone.
Yes
Docs grade · Says how long chats are kept after you delete them
23 October 2026
Checked on OpenAI's pages
Read from published docs, not a test we ran
Report a change →Yes, according to OpenAI's own pages.
OpenAI says deleted chats are permanently removed within 30 days unless already de-identified or held for security or legal reasons.
OpenAI's own pageChecked 23 October 2026
https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6378407-how-can-i-delete-my-account-and-what-data-is-deletedHow to do it in ChatGPT
- 1.Your chats, including archived ones, until you delete them.
- 2.Deleted chats are removed from OpenAI systems within 30 days, unless already de-identified or kept for security or legal reasons.
- 3.Saved memories, stored apart from your chats. Deleting a chat does not delete a memory made from it.
- 4.A log of deleted saved memories, for up to 30 days, for safety and debugging.
- 5.Temporary chats, a copy for up to 30 days, for safety.
- 6.Your account data, until you delete your account. Then it is deleted within 30 days, except some data the law requires or allows them to keep.
To fully remove a piece of information, OpenAI says to delete it everywhere it appears: chats, archived chats, files, saved memories and the memory summary.
OpenAI's own pagesChecked 24 October 2026
The test: Says how long chats are kept after you delete them
Look for the retention period after a chat or the account is deleted.
- ✓ Yes
- A stated number of days or hours for removal from its systems.
- ½ Partly
- A period is mentioned but vague, or only for some data.
- ✕ No
- No retention period stated.
A grade of what OpenAI's own page says, never a test we ran. Scores are never for sale. How the Scorecard works.